Rajnath Singh pays tribute to Pahalgam victims, vows strong response to threats

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday paid tribute to the victims on the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack, asserting that any attempt to harm India or its citizens would be met with “strength and clarity”.

In a post on X, Singh said, “Remembering and paying my heartfelt tributes to the innocent people who lost their lives in the cowardly terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025. We share the enduring pain of their loved ones and families. We will never forget those wounds inflicted on our nation.”

“India has endured decades of cross-border terror, but today our response is firm, decisive and unwavering. Through determined action, we have demonstrated that any attempt to harm our people or disrupt our unity will be met with strength and clarity,” he added.

Commemorating the anniversary, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) of the Indian Army said in a post on X, “For acts against India, the response is assured. Justice will be served. Always,” alongside a graphic reading “Operation Sindoor continues”.

The attack, carried out on April 22, 2025, by The Resistance Front — an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba — saw terrorists open fire on tourists after identifying their religion, in one of the most brutal civilian-targeted incidents in recent years.

Among those killed were 25 tourists and a local pony ride operator who attempted to save them.

In response to Pahalgam terror attack, Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on the intervening night of May 6-7, 2025. The well-coordinated strikes carried out by the Indian Armed Forces precisely hit nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), killing over 100 terrorists, their trainers, handlers, and associates. Most of the terrorists belonged to organisations like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The operation inflicted maximum damage on the terrorists and their hideouts, and minimum harm to the civilian population.